Ashley meets Kelly

Just as Colt's lips were about to make contact with Kelly's, a bright smile illuminated the dimly lit bar, and Ashley's cheerful voice cut through the air. "Hey, babe! Surprised to see you," she said, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she wrapped her arms around Colt's neck, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek. Colt's face froze, his lips still inches from Kelly's, as he turned to face Ashley, a mixture of surprise and guilt flashing across his features.

Kelly's eyes locked onto Ashley's, a surge of relief washing over her as she realized she had been saved from the unwanted kiss.

Colt's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Ashley and Kelly as he tried to process the sudden interruption. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of wariness, as he gently disentangled himself from Ashley's arms. Ashley's smile never wavered, but her eyes sparkled with a knowing glint as she replied, "I got a text from... a friend, saying I should come down here and see something." Her gaze drifted to Kelly, who was watching the exchange with an air of detached interest, her eyes never leaving Colt's face.

Ashley's gaze lingered on Kelly's face, her eyes narrowing slightly as she asked, "And who's this?" Her voice was friendly, but with a hint of curiosity, as she waited for Colt to introduce the mysterious woman.

Colt, sensing an opportunity to get his story in first, took initiative, his smile widening as he wrapped his arm around Ashley's waist. "This is Kelly, a friend I met earlier this week," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "We were just discussing business, and I was telling her about my latest venture."

Kelly's eyes locked onto Colt's, her expression neutral, as she waited for him to continue. Ashley's eyes sparkled with genuine warmth as she extended her hand to Kelly, her smile radiant. "It's so great to meet you, Kelly! I'm Ashley," she said, her voice dripping with friendliness. Kelly's gaze locked onto Ashley's outstretched hand, and for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt for using Ashley's trust to further her own agenda. She pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself that her ultimate goal was to protect Ashley from Colt's infidelity.

Kelly's hand closed around Ashley's, and they exchanged a firm but brief handshake. As Kelly's hand released Ashley's, she smiled sweetly, trying to convey a sense of familiarity with Colt. "It's lovely to meet you, Ashley," Kelly said, her voice dripping with sincerity. "Colt and I were just getting to know each other, weren't we?" She turned to Colt, her eyes locking onto his, a hint of flirtation dancing in their depths.

Colt's eyes flickered, a brief moment of panic flashing across his features before he regained his composure. "Ah, yes, Kelly and I were just discussing... business," he repeated, his voice a little too loud, a little too ****. Colt's grip on Ashley's waist tightened, as he shot Kelly a warning look. "Yes, just discussing business," he repeated, his voice still ****.

Kelly, sensing Colt's discomfort, decided to press the issue. "Actually, Colt and I were discussing a lot more than just business," she said, her voice dripping with innuendo. "Weren't we, Colt?"

Colt's face paled, as he realized Kelly's intentions. "Kelly, I don't think that's appropriate," he said, his voice strained.

Kelly's eyes never left Colt's face as she continued, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Colt and I were getting to know each other quite well, weren't we, Colt?" She paused, her gaze flicking to Ashley's, a hint of innocence in her expression. "He had his hands on me, Ashley. Right here," Kelly said, her hand brushing against her arm, just above the elbow. "And here," she added, her fingers tracing the curve of her neck.

Ashley's eyes sparkled with amusement, her smile never wavering. "Oh, Colt, you're such a charmer," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Kelly's eyes widened in surprise as Ashley's expression remained oblivious to the underlying tension. She had expected Ashley to pick up on the subtle cues, to sense the unease that lingered in the air like a challenge. But instead, Ashley's smile continued to radiate warmth, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Colt, you're such a charmer," Ashley repeated, her voice filled with a gentle teasing that made Kelly's skin crawl. Didn't Ashley see it? Didn't she realize that Colt's actions were not those of a devoted boyfriend?

Kelly's pause was brief, but it was enough to make Colt's eyes flicker with unease. Kelly's eyes locked onto Ashley's, her expression a mixture of frustration and desperation. "Ashley, listen to me," Kelly said, her voice low and urgent. "Colt was about to kiss me, right before you arrived. He had his lips inches from mine, and his hands were all over me."

Ashley's smile never wavered, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, Kelly, you're being dramatic," she said, her voice playful. "Colt was just being friendly. He's always been a charmer."

Kelly's face twisted in incredulity. "Friendly?" she repeated, her voice laced with sarcasm. "He was about to kiss me, Ashley. That's not friendly, that's..." Kelly's words trailed off as Ashley's smile grew wider.

"Oh, Kelly, you're misunderstanding," Ashley said, her voice playful. "A kiss can be perfectly platonic. It's just a way of showing affection, like a hug or a handshake." Ashley's eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in, her face inches from Kelly's.

Before Kelly could react, Ashley's lips brushed against hers in a quick, gentle kiss. Kelly's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with the unexpected turn of events. The kiss was brief, but it sent a shiver down Kelly's spine.

"See, Kelly? A kiss can be perfectly platonic," Ashley said, her voice still playful, as she pulled back from Kelly's stunned face. Kelly's eyes were wide with shock, her lips still tingling from the unexpected kiss. She felt like she had been punched in the gut, her mind reeling from the sudden turn of events.

Colt, sensing an opportunity to regain his footing, stepped forward, a charming smile spreading across his face. "Ashley's right, Kelly. A kiss can be just a friendly gesture," he said, his voice smooth and confident. "I'm sure you didn't think I was trying to cheat on Ashley, did you?"

Colt's smile seemed to grow wider as he wrapped his arm around Ashley's waist, pulling her close. "I think it's time for us to call it a night, don't you, Ashley?" he said, his voice low and smooth. Ashley nodded, her eyes still sparkling with amusement, and Colt began to steer her towards the door.

"Good night Kelly," Ashley said, waving back. "It was very nice to meet you."

Kelly's eyes narrowed as she watched them, her mind racing with frustration. She had been so close to exposing Colt's infidelity, and yet Ashley seemed completely oblivious to the tension between them. Kelly's gaze flicked to Colt's face, her eyes locking onto his as he glanced back at her. Colt gave Kelly a flirty wink, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'll see you around, Kelly," he said, his voice dripping with innuendo.

Kelly's face twisted in annoyance, her mind racing with frustration. She couldn't believe that Ashley was still oblivious to Colt's infidelity. She couldn't believe that Colt was still trying to flirt with her, even after she had exposed his actions.

But as Colt and Ashley left the bar, Kelly couldn't help but feel a twinge of something else. Something she didn't want to admit.